JP2013011577A - System and method for dispensing fluid from container into fluid receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense fluid directly from a container into a cartridge type receptacle while avoiding creation of undesirable aerosol effect.SOLUTION: A receptacle 70 includes an aperture 72 and an interior floor 74. A fluid dispenser 10 has two ends. A first end pierces a closure to establish fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the container, and a second end 30 engages the aperture 72 in the receptacle 70. Relative movement of the receptacle 70 and the container toward each other dispenses fluid from the container, through the dispenser 10, and directly into the receptacle 70. The second end 30 of the dispenser 10 is precluded from contact with the interior floor 74, thereby avoiding unintentional withdrawal of the fluid from the receptacle 70.

Description

  Embodiments generally relate to systems and methods for dispensing the contents of a fluid container directly into a receptacle. More particularly, it relates to a system and method for dispensing the contents of a test tube directly into a cartridge-type receptacle.

  Test tubes are often used as containers for collecting blood samples and other liquids such as biological fluids. When collecting blood, put an anticoagulant in the test tube and collect a blood sample directly from the patient into the test tube. The test tube is closed with a rubber stopper.

Usually blood or other fluid needs to be removed from the test tube for analysis. Therefore, laboratory workers are required to routinely perform tasks that conveniently and efficiently distribute fluid from test tubes to desired surfaces in a variety of environments. However, care must be taken when dispensing the fluid to be examined while avoiding contamination, for example when the dispensed fluid is pulled back into the test tube.
For example, if fluid is dispensed very quickly from a test tube, care must be taken to ensure that the fluid does not spill or that it does not float in the air. When that happens, laboratory workers can be exposed to fluids and infected with the disease.

  Prior to the present invention, an instrument for moving fluid directly from a test tube onto a slide was provided. This type of instrument eliminates the need to remove the plug from the test tube, thus avoiding the problem of creating an aerosol effect when removing the plug from the test tube. Since then, laboratory workers have not been exposed to blood contaminants or illnesses.

  In recent years, cartridge-type receptacles are often used in the analysis of biological fluid specimens. Typically, a pipette is used to carry fluid from the test tube into the cartridge opening. However, using a pipette required the plug to be removed from the test tube, thus again forming an aerosol when the plug was removed. Thus, laboratory workers were exposed to contaminants and illnesses contained in biological fluids.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  Embodiments relate to a system for dispensing fluids directly from a container into a cartridge-type receptacle without the need to remove closures or plugs from the container, thus avoiding the generation of undesirable aerosol effects.

  The fluid dispenser pierces the stopper of the container. When the pressure in the container is increased, such as by deflecting the stopper inward, fluid exits the container through the dispenser.

  A receptacle (preferably a cartridge-type receptacle) has an opening for receiving a fluid dispenser, and fluid exits the container through the dispenser and flows directly into the receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a fluid distribution system. The fluid dispenser is inserted through the seal of the test tube. When the test tube and the fluid dispenser are moved relative to each other, the sealing body bends and pressurizes the inside of the test tube, so that a part of the fluid in the test tube is distributed. The perspective view of a cartridge type receptacle. The side fragmentary sectional view which shows 1st Embodiment of the connection area | region of the fluid dispenser and the hole of a fluid receptacle. The side fragmentary sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the connection area | region of the fluid dispenser and the hole of a fluid receptacle. The side fragmentary sectional view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the connection area | region of the fluid dispenser and the hole of a fluid receptacle.

  Various embodiments of the coupling area between the dispenser and the receptacle are described. Although the drawings are not drawn to scale, like reference numerals indicate corresponding components.

  Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for dispensing fluid from a container. Although embodiments relate to those that dispense blood from a test tube, this is merely exemplary. Indeed, the illustrated embodiment can be used in connection with other containers and other fluids. Although embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3-5, they are not limited to the illustrated structure or application.

Before describing a system and method for dispensing fluid from a container, the various components that can be used in such a system and method are first described. Referring to FIG. 1, the fluid dispenser includes a base 12 having a first side 14 and a second side 16 that face each other.
In one embodiment, the base 12 may have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. However, the base 12 can have any suitable structure, for example, a rectangle, a triangle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

The elongate piercing shaft 20 may extend from the first side 14 of the base 12. The piercing shaft 20 can extend at any suitable angle relative to the first side 14 of the base 12.
In one embodiment, the piercing shaft 20 is substantially perpendicular to the first side 14 of the base 12. The piercing shaft 20 is substantially centered on the first side 14 of the base 12.

  The piercing shaft 20 may include a stem portion 22, which may extend straight from the first side 14 of the base 12. Stem portion 22 can transition to cannula portion 24. The tip 25 of the cannula portion 24 may be pointed or chamfered to facilitate piercing.

The transition portion between stem portion 22 and cannula portion 24 can have any suitable shape. For example, the transition portion between the stem portion 22 and the cannula portion 24 can include a shoulder 26, which determines the length of insertion of the piercing shaft 20 into the container.
In one embodiment, the stem portion 22 and the cannula portion can each have a substantially circular cross section, the diameter of the circular cross section of the stem portion 22 being greater than the substantially circular cross section diameter of the cannula portion 24. The shoulder 26 is constructed by doing so.

  Cannula portion 24 may include a plurality of serrations, teeth, or barbs (not shown). These provide resistance to inadvertent withdrawal of the cannula portion 24 from the member into which it is inserted, such as a test tube or other container seal. Thus, the serrated portion can minimize movement of the fluid dispenser 10 after the fluid dispenser 10 is attached to the container.

The hollow protrusion 28 may be formed so as to extend from the second side 16 of the base 12. In some embodiments, the protrusion 28 may be the only structure that extends from the second side of the base 12. The protrusion 28 can extend at any suitable angle relative to the second side 16 of the base 12.
In one embodiment, the protrusion 28 can be substantially perpendicular to the second side 16 of the base 12. The protrusion 28 can be positioned substantially centrally on the second side 16 of the base 12. The hollow interior of the protrusion 28 may be substantially in line with the hollow interior of the piercing shaft 20. The protrusion 28 can be terminated at the tip 30. The protrusion 28 can have an associated length L _p defined as the distance between the second side 16 of the base 12 and the tip 30.

The protrusion 28 can have any suitable structure. In one embodiment, the protrusions 28 can be substantially circular in cross section. In other embodiments, the protrusions 28 can be rectangular, triangular, elliptical or polygonal.
The protrusion 28 can include one or more sidewalls 32 depending on its shape. For example, if the protrusion 28 is substantially circular, the protrusion 28 can have only one continuous side wall 32. When the protrusion 28 is polygonal, the protrusion 28 can have a plurality of side walls 32. One or more sidewalls 32 can be substantially straight. As another example, one or more sidewalls 32 can be tapered.

  A flow path 34 extends through the fluid dispenser 10 from the protrusion 28 to the cannula portion 24. The channel 34 has an inlet opening 36 in the cannula portion 24, such as at the cannula tip 25. The channel 34 has an outlet opening 38 at the protruding portion 28, for example, at the protruding tip 30. The flow path 34 extends from the inlet opening 36 to the outlet opening 38.

The flow path 34 can have any suitable size and shape. The cross-sectional size and shape of the flow path 34 may be substantially unchanged along its length, or at least one of the cross-sectional size and shape of the flow path 34 is in at least a portion of the flow path 34. May vary along.
In one embodiment, the flow path 34 is substantially circular in cross-sectional shape. The flow path 34 may be substantially straight. In another embodiment, the flow path 34 may include one or more bends, turns, bends, and / or corners.

The fluid dispenser 10 can be a single structure. That is, all parts of the fluid dispenser 10 can be formed as a single structure, for example by plastic injection molding.
In another embodiment, at least a portion of the fluid dispenser 10 can be made separately and / or from different materials. For example, cannula portion 24 can be made of metal and the remaining portion of fluid dispenser 10 can be made of plastic. In such cases, the stem portion 22 can be molded around the metal cannula portion 24 or the metal cannula portion 24 can be inserted into a passage in the stem portion 22. At least a portion of the fluid dispenser 10 can be transparent, such as by using a transparent plastic material, thereby providing a good field of view in use.

Embodiments of the systems and methods herein may include a container 40. The container 40 has an opening 42. The container 40 has an associated interior chamber 44 within it.
In one embodiment, the container 40 may be a test tube and is provided with an opening 42 at a first end 48 thereof. The second end 50 of the test tube is closed. For convenience, the following description is made in the context of a test tube, but it should be understood that any suitable container can be used and embodiments are not limited to test tubes.

The sealing body 52 can close the opening first end 48 of the test tube. Any appropriate structure can be used as the sealing body 52. The sealing body 52 seals the opening 42. The seal 52 may be a rubber plug or other structure that is reusable, resealable, re-stabable, flexible and / or elastic. is there.
The seal 52 can be press fit inside the test tube opening 42 and can be held in place by at least friction.

The inner chamber 44 of the test tube can contain a fluid 60. The fluid 60 may be any type of fluid.
In one embodiment, the fluid 60 may be blood or another biological fluid. There may be an airspace 64 between the top of the fluid 60 and the inner end of the end 50 of the test tube. In some embodiments, there may be little or no air space 64 between the top of the fluid 60 and the inside of the end 50 of the test tube.

FIG. 2 generally illustrates a cartridge-type receptacle 70 into which fluid is placed for subsequent evaluation. The receptacle, described as a cartridge for convenience only, is a generally thin, flat, rectangular member having an opening 72 and an internal passage 80.
The opening or hole 72 extends to a first depth in the receptacle so as to be in fluid communication with the internal passage 80. The first depth may be considered to extend from the top of the receptacle to the inner floor 74 of the receptacle. The distance from the top of the receptacle 70 to the inner floor 74 of the receptacle can be thought of as the hole depth 74 and is denoted Ld. The diameter of the hole 72 in the top surface of the cartridge has a dimension sufficient to accept at least a portion of the diameter of the protrusion 28, as will be described more fully below.

  The holes 72 formed in the receptacle can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, which depends on the size and shape of the inner wall 78 of the hole. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional diameter of the hole 72 may be substantially constant. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the holes 72 may vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional diameter of the hole 72 may be conical or chamfered so as to decrease downward toward the floor 74. One or more protrusions 76 may protrude from the wall 78 as shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the fluid receptacle 70 may have more than one hole 72.

  The fluid receptacle 70 may include an elongated groove 80 that receives fluid. This groove 80 is in direct or indirect fluid communication with the hole 72. In some examples, there may be more than one groove 80 associated with the hole 72. At least a portion of the groove 80 extends inside the fluid receptacle 70.

  The groove 80 can have any suitable size or shape. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the groove 80 may be substantially constant along its length. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the groove 80 may vary along at least a portion of its length. The groove 80 may be substantially straight. In other embodiments, the groove 80 may include one or more bends, turns, bends, and / or corners.

The fluid receptacle 70 may be a test cartridge used in connection with a blood / biological fluid analyzer. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid receptacle may be a test cartridge for the i-STAT 1 portable analyzer available from Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois.
The fluid receptacle 70 may include sensors, electrical components, and electrical circuits for performing fluid analysis or for operational communication with a blood / biological fluid analyzer. The fluid receptacle 70 may provide an interface for functional connection or communication with another device such as a blood / biological fluid analyzer.
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the receptacle 70 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a rectangular base 82 and a generally rectangular upper member 84. The groove 80 may extend partially in the upper member 84 and then extend downward into the base 82. In other embodiments, the groove 80 may exist only in the upper member 84 or only in the base 82.

  Having described each component in the system and method above, an example of the interaction and operation of these various components will now be described.

The liquid 60 to be dispensed is collected in the inner chamber 44 of the container 40 and sealed with a sealing body 52 by conventional techniques. Next, the fluid dispenser 10 is inserted through the sealing body 52. Specifically, the piercing shaft 20 is inserted through the sealing body 52 until the shoulder portion 26 of the piercing shaft 20 contacts the sealing body 52. While the piercing shaft 20 is inserted into the sealing body 52, the base 12 is grasped or held. Stem portion 22 provides structural support for cannula portion 24 to prevent inadvertent destruction of cannula portion 24 while inserting piercing shaft 20 into seal 52.
At least a portion of the cannula portion 24 extends into the inner chamber 44, thereby establishing fluid communication between the inner chamber 44 of the test tube and the exterior of the test tube. The test tube is inverted (with the dispenser 10 attached) to the posture schematically shown in FIG.

  When the stopper or seal 52 is deflected inward toward the end 50 of the container 40, fluid flows through the fluid dispenser 10 and out through the dispenser tip 30. When the fluid dispenser 10 and the fluid receptacle 70 are coupled, the fluid flows directly through the dispenser tip 30 and into the hole 72 of the receptacle 70. After a sufficient amount of fluid (or a desired amount of fluid) has been dispensed into the receptacle, the container and receptacle can be separated, for example, by removing the dispenser tip 30 from the hole 72.

However, when releasing the pressure acting on the sealing body 52 with the dispenser tip 30 in the hole 72, care must be taken to avoid vacuum effects or capillary action. When a vacuum effect or capillary action occurs, the fluid in the receptacle is drawn back through the dispenser tip 30 and is therefore unusable for analysis in the receptacle.
Similarly, care must be taken to avoid vacuum effects or capillary action when the dispenser tip 30 is intentionally withdrawn from the receptacle. When a vacuum effect or capillary action occurs, the fluid in the receptacle is drawn back through the dispenser tip 30 and is therefore unusable for analysis in the receptacle.

Several techniques for avoiding capillarity or vacuum effects are described. In one such embodiment, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, the depth L _d of the hole 72 is greater than the length L _p of the protrusions. Thus, when the protrusion is inserted into the hole 72, the second side 16 of the base 12 contacts the top of the receptacle 70. This contact prevents the dispenser protrusions from coming into contact with the receptacle floor 74 and thus reduces, if not completely eliminates vacuum effects and / or capillarity.

  The second embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the side wall 78 is tapered and the diameter portion of the side wall 32 of the protrusion 28 engages the side wall 78 at a location above the floor 74. . Accordingly, the dispenser protrusion 28 is physically prevented from contacting the receptacle floor 74, thus reducing vacuum effects and / or capillarity, if not completely eliminated.

  In FIG. 5, a protrusion 76 is formed inside the hole 72 to limit the degree of insertion of the protrusion 28 into the hole 72. This protrusion 76 is formed during the manufacturing or molding of the receptacle.

  In all three embodiments, the protrusion tip 30 is spaced from the inner floor 74 at the bottom of the hole 72. That is, various means are provided to maintain the tip 30 of the protrusion at a desired distance from the receptacle floor 74.

After the protrusion 28 is inserted into the hole 72, the test tube may be moved toward the fluid dispenser 10, or the fluid dispenser 10 may be moved toward the test tube. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder part 26 bends the sealing body 52 inward relatively with respect to a test tube. As a result, the internal volume of the test tube is reduced and the internal pressure of the test tube is increased, which increases the corresponding small volume (e.g., droplet 61) of fluid 60 that is eventually pumped from the test tube, or Distribute.
A droplet 61 of fluid 60 enters channel 34 through inlet opening 36, flows through channel 34, and exits through outlet opening 38. In this way, fluid can be distributed into the holes 72. This process can be repeated as often as necessary to dispense a desired amount of fluid directly from the test tube into the cartridge bore 72.

The products shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are each conceptually part of the prior art. The term “conceptually” here means in particular: (1) The relative ratio that L _p is less than L _d is not part of the prior art. (2) It is not part of the prior art to use a conical or chamfered internal sidewall for the purpose of limiting the depth at which the tip 30 can be inserted. (3) The use of internal protrusions for the purpose of limiting the depth to which the tip 30 can be inserted is not part of the prior art.
That is, the prior art has not provided direct movement from the container to the cartridge or direct distribution.

  The systems and methods described herein facilitate the convenient and efficient distribution of fluid from a test tube into a fluid receptacle. The systems and methods herein also help to avoid contamination of the fluid to be examined. The spacing between the bottom 74 in the cartridge and the tip 30 of the fluid dispenser minimizes the possibility that the fluid distributed in the hole 72 will be inadvertently pulled back into the test tube, for example by capillary action. Can be suppressed or eliminated.

  The above description has been described as one possible application for a system and method for dispensing fluids. Although the above description has been made in the context of test tubes, the systems and methods described herein can also be used in the context of others. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to the specific details described herein, but are provided as examples only and various modifications and changes are naturally possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

A system for dispensing fluid from a container having an open end sealed by a sealing body,
The container includes an inner chamber having a volume and containing fluid therein,

The above system
A fluid dispenser;
A receptacle having an opening and an internal floor,

The fluid dispenser has a base having a first side and a second side, and a protrusion having an external diameter and a tip extending from the second side of the base, and passing through the protrusion A system in which the flow path extends and the protrusion is configured to extend into the opening of the receptacle with its tip maintained at a desired distance from the internal floor of the receptacle .
The system of claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining the tip of the protrusion at a desired distance from the inner floor of the receptacle.

The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the outer diameter of the protrusion and the interior of the receptacle is configured to maintain the tip of the protrusion at a desired distance from the inner floor of the receptacle. .

The inner wall of the receptacle is tapered so as to maintain the tip of the protrusion at a desired distance from the inner floor of the receptacle. System.
The second side of the base of the fluid dispenser abuts on a receptacle, and maintains the tip of the protrusion at a desired distance from the inner floor of the receptacle. System.
The protrusion has an associated length L _p ;
The opening of the receptacle has an associated length L _d within the receptacle;
By L _p is smaller than L _d, system according to the tip of the protruding portion, is maintained in the receptacle of the internal beds were maintained for a desired distance, any one of the preceding claims.
The receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receptacle has an internal protrusion, and the internal protrusion maintains the tip of the protrusion at a desired distance from the internal floor of the receptacle. The described system.
A fluid dispenser for use in the system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid dispenser is used to deflect inward a sealing body that seals the open end of the container. Configured to dispense fluid from the container;

The fluid dispenser is
A base having a first side and a second side, the base configured to press contact with a fluid receptacle to deflect the sealing body inward;
A piercing shaft configured to provide a passage in the sealing body;
A protrusion extending from the second side of the base and having an outer diameter and a tip;
A flow path extending through the protrusion,

The fluid dispenser is configured to extend into the opening of the fluid receptacle while maintaining the tip at a desired distance from the inner floor of the receptacle.
9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, or the fluid dispenser of claim 8, wherein the fluid dispenser dispenses fluid from a test tube into a cartridge-type receptacle.
10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 or the use of a fluid dispenser according to claim 8 or 9 to avoid the fluid to be dispensed being pulled back from the dispenser tip.
A method of moving fluid directly from a container into a receptacle,
The container is closed by a sealing body and contains a fluid therein, and the receptacle has an opening and an inner floor,
The method is
Providing a fluid dispenser, wherein the fluid dispenser has a base having a first side and a second side, from which a protrusion extends, the protrusion having a dispenser tip. The process,
Inserting the fluid dispenser through the seal and into the container;
Inserting a fluid dispenser tip into the opening of the receptacle;
Moving the receptacle and container relative to each other, deflecting the seal, and dispensing fluid directly from the container into the receptacle.
The method of claim 11, further comprising a maintaining step of maintaining a tip of the protrusion at a desired distance from the inner floor of the receptacle.
The method of claim 12, wherein in the maintaining step, the second side of the base of the fluid dispenser is brought into contact with the receptacle.
In the maintenance step, a part of the fluid dispenser, particularly a part of the tip of the fluid dispenser, is a part of the contact portion provided in the opening of the receptacle at a position spaced from the inner floor of the receptacle, The method of claim 12, wherein the method is abutted against an internal protrusion or tapered sidewall.
  15. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein dispensing the fluid directly from the container into the receptacle comprises dispensing the fluid in the form of droplets.

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